⚡ Quick Start Guide
20+ books total: Main series, prequels, and related works
Best starting point: The Templar Legacy (Book 1)
Reading time: 8-12 hours per book
Genre blend: History, conspiracy, action thriller
🎯 Complete Cotton Malone Series - Publication Order
📖 Prequel & Related Works
🎭 Key Characters
Ex-Justice Department operative turned rare book dealer in Copenhagen. Eidetic memory. Can't resist a historical mystery.
Spanish billionaire, Muslim by faith, Cotton's sometimes partner and love interest. Appears in book 2 onward.
Head of the Magellan Billet, Cotton's former boss. Tough as nails, always three steps ahead.
Danish billionaire, Cotton's friend and neighbor. Key player in early books (1-5).
Cotton's teenage son. Often becomes leverage against his father.
U.S. President in many books. Tennessee native, larger than life personality.
🏛️ Real History Behind the Fiction
| Book | Historical Secret | Real or Fiction? |
|---|---|---|
| Templar Legacy | Templar treasure hidden | Based on real legends |
| Alexandria Link | Library of Alexandria survived | Fictional, but library was real |
| Venetian Betrayal | Alexander's tomb location | Still unknown in reality |
| Columbus Affair | Columbus was Jewish | Actual historical debate |
| King's Deception | Elizabeth I was male | Real conspiracy theory |
📅 Series Evolution Timeline
The Templar Legacy debuts at #4 NYT
Cassiopeia Vitt introduced
First Cassiopeia solo adventure
The King's Deception wins awards
Bishop's Pawn tackles MLK assassination
Atlas Maneuver brings crypto into mix
🎯 Reading Tips for Maximum Enjoyment
- ✓ Read in publication order for character development
- ✓ Books 1-3 form a loose trilogy worth reading together
- ✓ The Charlemagne Pursuit (Book 4) reveals Cotton's backstory
- ✓ Each book contains a writer's note explaining fact from fiction
- ✓ Google Earth the locations - Berry visits every place
- ✓ Most books work as standalones after book 3
⭐ The Essential Five for New Readers
- The Templar Legacy - Perfect introduction
- The Charlemagne Pursuit - Cotton's personal story
- The King's Deception - Award winner
- The 14th Colony - Modern thriller elements
- The Bishop's Pawn - Standalone masterpiece
🔗 How Books Connect
Books 1-3: Introduce core cast, establish world
Books 4-6: Deepen character backstories
Books 7-10: American history focus
Books 11-14: Government conspiracy arc
Books 15-19: Global politics and modern threats
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Start with books 1-3 in order. After that, most work as standalones, though publication order enhances character development.
Similar historical conspiracy genre, but Berry focuses more on political intrigue and includes author's notes separating fact from fiction.
Berry thoroughly researches each book. His writer's notes detail what's real. He visits every location personally.
Yes! Berry releases approximately one Cotton Malone book per year.
In development but nothing released yet. Books are very cinematic.